Senior Data Engineer — MSSQL to Snowflake Migration (Fivetran + dbt)

Responsibilities

Migration & Translation

Analyze existing SQL Server stored procedures that feed SSRS reports — catalog business logic, conditional transformations, and reporting-specific edge cases
Translate stored procedure logic into dbt models (staging, intermediate, and mart layers) using idiomatic SQL and dbt best practices
Design the Snowflake schema architecture (raw, staging, marts) aligned with dimensional modeling principles

Ingestion & Pipeline Design

Configure and manage Fivetran connectors for MSSQL source replication into Snowflake raw layer
Define sync cadence, schema drift handling, and incremental vs. full-load strategies per source table
Coordinate with internal engineers managing the existing Go-based ETL to plan cutover and parallel-run periods

dbt Development & DataOps

Build a production-grade dbt project: models, tests, documentation, sources, exposures, and freshness checks
Implement data quality testing (schema tests, custom singular tests, row-count reconciliation against legacy outputs)
Establish CI/CD for dbt (slim CI on PR, scheduled full builds) integrated with Git workflows

Validation & QA

Design and execute output parity validation between legacy SSRS reports and new Snowflake-based models
Build reconciliation dashboards or automated comparison queries to catch drift during parallel-run
Document edge cases, assumptions, and any logic gaps surfaced during migration

Governance & Observability

Implement RBAC and row-level security in Snowflake aligned with existing access patterns
Establish data lineage visibility via dbt docs and/or integration with observability tooling
Define and enforce naming conventions, model layering standards, and code review practices

Required Qualifications

5+ years working with SQL Server (T-SQL), including complex stored procedures and SSRS
3+ years with Snowflake (schema design, performance tuning, warehouse sizing, access control)
2+ years building production dbt projects (models, tests, macros, packages, CI/CD)
Hands-on experience with Fivetran (connector configuration, sync management, schema handling)
Deep understanding of dimensional modeling and data mart architecture
Strong knowledge of where SQL Server and Snowflake SQL diverge (window functions, date handling, CTEs, semi-structured data, MERGE behavior)
Excellent documentation skills — commented models and clear decision records are part of the deliverable

Preferred Qualifications

Experience migrating SSRS reporting logic to a modern BI layer (Looker, Power BI on Snowflake, or Sigma)
Familiarity with Go, particularly for understanding existing ETL transformation logic
Experience with data observability tools (Monte Carlo, Elementary, or dbt tests at scale)
Background in fitness/wellness, SaaS, or multi-tenant/franchise data environments
Experience running parallel-run validation (old system vs. new system side-by-side)

See also